My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: NY -Nassau county
I have been renting an upstairs apartment for almost 3 years. I am an awesome tenant, always paid my rent on time and so far have had a great relationship with the landlord. The first of last month, my landlord came to collect the rent and he advised me that someone called the town on him (hes going thru a nasty divorce, so he assumes his ex wife) and that he had court the next day. apparently the house was only zoned for one family and he split it into 2. I had absolutely no idea the apartment was illegal, if i had, I would not have rented it, due to the fact that the last apartment i was in, this exact same thing happened. (I even found this one through a realtor!) He came into my job after court and told me they are coming to remove the kitchen and the doors and i need to find somewhere to go very soon. A couple weeks went by and I hadnt heard anything from him, so I texted him asking if it was possible for me to stay without a kitchen, and he said the town is really on his back and that would be out of the question.I have to go. so... I started packing, and trying to find something, to no avail yet. So then he texts me yesterday and asks if he can come by and pick up the rent on Tues, but the next text he states that they are coming in 2 weeks to remove the kitchen. So, he wants me to pay him 1600 for a whole months rent AND they are coming to remove the doors and the kitchen in 2 wks AND i still need to come up with first last and security to find a new place?! I have the rent, thats not the problem...it just seems unethical for him to even ask...so I texted him back this big long thing and asked him to give me a break due to the circumstances..how can he expect me to pay all that and not have those amenities? im really in a tough position now...blah blah blah...His response was "the rent is still 1600." And then I heard knocking at the front door about a half hour later and when i looked out the window i swore it was him walking away, but Im not sure. But now I am pissed. This just doesnt seem right to me. He has my security deposit. i was hoping to find something in the next 2 weeks before they take the kitchen and door and just leave but what should i do? what are my rights? I have a month to month lease.

